Hair drier



Jan. 31, 1950 POTTER 2,496,232-

HAIR DRIER Filed March 17, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E- R. POTTER Jan. 31, 1950 HAIR DRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1.7, 1948 i I m 1\ g T N @M M MW N f. 1\\ QH NW \M. N 1 NW n. a Q

Patented Jan. 31, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- HAIR DRIER Elbert R. Potter, San Francisco, Calif., assignor of one-half to Nich cisco, Calif.

olas E. Drabb, San Fran- Application March 1 7, 1948, Serial No. 15,310

7. Claims. (01. s4 1o0 permit the wearer to bodily move about -due to the resilient connections between the hood or cap and drying unit.

The invention further comprehends a novel drying hood or cap of relatively light weight which completely encloses the hair ofthe wearer yet does not enclose or cover the ears whereby the person whose hair is being dried is inconvenienced to a minimum degree. In the disclosed and preferred embodiment, this hood or cap is composed of a light weight and flexible or resilient rubber or rubber-like material which is so constructed and contoured as to conform to the shape of the head immediately below the hair-line, and with the opposite side of the hood or cap provided with openings for and through which project the ears. Thus the wearer is at all times cognizant of what is said and what is going on about her.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel cap or hood having projecting therefrom a pair of flexible tubes connected to an air circulating and heating unit, one of the tubes providing a passage from said unit for supplying heated air under pressure to the hood or cap and the other withdrawing the moisture laden air from the hood oricap and returning it to the air circulating and heating unit for reheating and recirculation.

Due to the construction and arrangement of so constructed and arranged that moisture in the circulating air is discharged therefrom and;

fresh air from the exterior is drawn into the unit to replenish any air that escapes with the discharge of moisture or water vapor.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a novel heating unit of cylindrical form and thermostatically controlled whereby the circulating air is quickly, effectively and uniformly heated as it passes through the unit and in a substantially unobstructed path.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efliciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts 11- lustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a view, part in side elevation and part in vertical cross-section through the hair drier assembly, the hood or cap being shown in 'crosssection to more clearly disclose its construction and arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a View in front elevation of the cylindrical air circulating and heating unit and its support. d

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, part in front elevation and part in vertical cross-section, of the novel hood or cap adapted to be placed on the head of the person whose hair is being dried.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in ver- 'tical cross-section through the air circulating hair drier comprises a mobile supporting base I mounted upon casters or the like 2, and provided with an upstanding pedestal or support 3 comprising telescopic sections 4 and 5 locked in adjusted position by a set screw or any suitable locking means 6. An electric cord 1 is adapted to be plugged into any suitable source of electrical supply, such as a wall box or other receptacle, and through the connector 8 is led into the tubular section 4 of the pedestal or support and from there passes up through the hollow tubing into the housing 9 and to the switch I therein.

This switch may be of the toggle type or of any other suitable type, and provided with toggles or knobs H and i2, one of which is to control the circuit to the motor [3 and the other a circuit to the heating unit [4, so that the operator may be apprised as to whether the circuit to either or both of these units or elements has been closed. Mounted in series in each circuit is preferably provided a visible indicating means such as a light. As shown in Fig. 1, one of the lights [5, such as a green light, may be provided in the motor circuit, and a red or other light it may be in series in the heater circuit, so as to provide a visual means indicating that either or both of the circuits are energized.

A flexible conduit 11 from the switch Ill encloses the wires is to the motor l3 and the wires l8 leading to the heating unit [4 through a thermostat [9 for controlling the heat. This flexible conduit is carried in a hollow bracket arm 20 pivotally mounted at one end upon a cross pin 2! in the housing 9. A coil spring 22 tends to move this bracket arm into an elevated position and is of such tension as to lift the weight of this arm and its associated mechanism into a desired elevated position and maintain the weight thereof above the head of the wearer. To look this bracket arm and the mechanism it carries in any suitable adjusted position, there is provided a spring-pressed detent 23 having a handle or knob 24 extending to the exterior of the housing 9 whereby it may be withdrawn by a longitudinal pull, but when released by the operator is automatically locked in any one of a series of aligned depressions or recesses 23 in the curved end wall 25 of the bracket 20.

The bracket arm 20 is provided at its forward end with spaced projections or bifurcations 26 upon which is pivotally mounted an air circulating and heating unit embodied in a substantially cylindrical housing 21 by means of a pair of brackets or supports 28 secured to the upper surface of this cylindrical member by a plate 29 provided with spaced lugs or the like 38 secured to the cylindrical housing by bolts or other securing means. The pivotal mounting preferably consists of a threaded bolt 3| provided with a fixed nut or head 3i on one end and its other end adapted to receive a removable nut 32 permitting the cylindrical housing 21 to be adjusted to any desired position about the bolt or pivotal connection 3! and locked in that adjusted position by the nut 32. Although I disclose a hexagonal nut 32, it is to be understood that it may be a wing nut or any other means suitable for locking the cylindrical unit in a predetermined or desired adjusted position with respect to the hollow bracket arm 20. The cylindrical housing 21 is shown as hollow to house or enclose therein the motor 13 for rotating a fan or air circulating means 33 mounted or pinned to the motor shaft 34, a sleeve-like member 35 suitably mounted in concentric spaced relation in the housing 21 and in turn encompassing the cylindrical heating unit [4 and the inlet 36 and outlet 31 therefrom.

End bells 38 and 39 are removably mounted upon the ends of the cylindrical housing 21, and are readily removable therefrom for access to the operating parts of the unit. This is preferably accomplished by a tight friction fit so that the adjacent ends of the cylinder 21 and end bells telescope, but with these parts provided with complementary and concentric beads to limit the amount of overlap. Each end bell is provided with a rubber grommet 40 disposed in an opening in the outer end of the end bell, and in the opening of this rubber grommet is provided a screen or perforate member 4| for permitting circulation of air but at the same time filtering out any dust particles, hair or the like. The screen or filter in the end bell 38 permits cooling of the motor, while that in the end bell 39 permits the entrance of air into the air supply.

The intake 36 is mounted in an end wall or plate 42 having one or more openings 43 therein for the entrance of air from the exterior of the unit through the screen 4| in the end bell 39. Aligned with the opening or openings 43 is an opening or openings provided in an asbestos or other insulating disk 44 mounted on the inner face of the end plate 42. A similar end wall or plate 42 is provided at the opposite end of the. sleeve 35, and these end plates are each provided. with a centrally disposed opening and an annular flange 44 telescopically received in an end of the cylindrical member 35. To the end plate 42 is suitably secured a housing 45 encompassing or enclosing the fan or air circulating member 33. and to the latter housing is also suitably attached or aflixed the housing for the motor l3 and the exhaust or discharge outlet 31 from the fan. The centrally disposed openings in the end plates permit free circulation of air from the intake 35, through the heating unit and then into the central portion of the fan, from where this.

air is expelled outwardly through the exhaust or discharge outlet 31.

as provided on and conforming to the interior face of the end plate 42 ,.and a lining of asbestos or the like 41 is provided on the internal cylindrical wall of the sleeve 35.

Thus it will be seen that the heat generated in the heating unit will be suitably maintained therein and confined within a closed circuit to and from the hood or cap 48, placed upon and conforming to the head A of the person whose hair is to be dried. This hood or cap is formed of a resilient or flexible material of relatively light weight, and is so contoured as to com pletely enclose the hair of the wearer and sealsf against the head by a peripheral bead or con-' tacting surface 49 of substantially greater thick-. ness. It is also provided with an opening 50' at each of the opposite sides thereof through which the ears of the wearer project so that during the drying operation she may hear and engage in conversation without difiiculty. To permit the wearer freedom of movement, a flexible. or resilient tube 5| exhausting from the hood is connected to the intake 36, and a flexible or.

resilient tube 52 is connected to and supplies the air from the fan to the hood.

These flexible or resilient tubes 5| and 52 and the hood 48 are preferably made of a rubber or A suitable insulating disk 46 formed of asbestos or the like is shown restricted openings 54 for the escape of moisture o'r vapor from the interior of the unit.

I :To assure a close fit of the hood or cap 48 upon thehead A of the wearer, the front of the hood or cap 48 may be split or provided with a substantially V-shaped slot 56 and an adjustable strap 51 provided with a fastener 58 secured at oneside of this slot and a series of snaps 59 provided on the hood or can at the opposite side whereby the strap fastener may be attached to any one of the series of snaps. Also to assure a close fit about the ears B of the wearer, there may be provided a substantially U-shaped fiat spring 60 embedded in the material of the hood or cap and provided with bifurcations or extensions 6| and" 62 approximately conforming to the shape of the ear.

The cylindrical heating unit I4 is mounted upon and in spaced relation with respect to the interior of the encompassing sleeve-like or cylindrical, member 35 by means of a plurality of Z shaped brackets 63, while the thermostat I9 is mounted upon and in the cylindrical member 35 and in the path of the air as it leaves the heating unit M by means of a bracket 64.

To adjust the temperature setting "of the thermostat, the latter is provided with a rotatable shaft 65 extending to the exterior of the housing 21 and at the outer end this shaft is provided with an indicating dial 66 that may be manually adjustedto the desired maximum temperature and above which the heating unit is disconnected. Although the heating unit shown is of an elongated cylindrical form now available in which the heating element is embedded in a non-breakable base of suitable material, it is to be understood that any suitable cylindrical heating unit for applying the requisite heat to the air passing through the hollow interior 6! of the heating unit and through the annular space 68 about the heating unit may be employed.

From the above description and the disclosure in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the air circulating over the head of the wearer and back to and through the heating and circulating unit is maintained under pressure, thereby assuring that warm air is circulated and recirculated over the complete head of the wearer and thereby drying the individuals hair in a minimum of time. Excellent results have been secured by having such hair under a pressure of approximately six to eight ounces, and with the ears exposed and not subject to this pressure it will be appreciated that the wearer will not be conscious of the pressure to which the air is subjected. Furthermore, as the circulating air is restricted beneath the hood or cap, there is no air blowing over the face of the wearer and she is not conscious of the drying action. I have found that with the present device I am able to dry any head of hair regardless of its texture and thickness, and with or Without curlers, in a period of from five to fifteen minutes, whereas with prior types of driers this drying period is fromthirty minutes to an hour and forty-five minutes.

By way of example, I have secured excellent results by employing a high speed, motor (8000 R. P. M.) and drawing through the unit approximately 32 cubic feet of air per minute, the velocity of the air passing through the heating unit travelling at a rate of approximately 2640 feet per minute. However, this is merelyillustrative and not as limiting the invention. The motor is of the universal type and may be operated on alternating or direct current, and the entire heating unit and electrical system are so disposed and"- insulated that neither the operator nor the person, whose hair is being dried is in the least danger of electrical shocln.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

ing heated air to the hood. and back to the unit for reheating andrecirculation.

'2.' In a hair drier assembly, an air heating and circulating unit comprising a tubular housing, a sleeve-like member disposed within the housing and having a restricted opening at its opposite:

ends for the passage of air, a heating unit mounted in spaced relation within said member, an airinlet communicating with the restricted opening j at one end of said member and an air outlet com-- municating with the restricted opening at the.

other end thereof, a fan housing and an exhaust fan adjacent the outlet and disposed between said outlet and its communicating restricted opening whereby air exhausted from said member by the fan passes through said restricted opening, fan housing and outlet, flexible conduits connected to the inlet and to the outlet for the passage of the air and an end bell mounted on each of the opposite ends of said housing and provided with an opening for access thereto.

3. In a hair drier, an air heating and circulating unit comprising an elongated housing open at its opposite ends, a sleeve-like member disposed in said housing, a heating element in said member, an end plate at the opposite ends of said member, an air inlet at one end of said member, an exhaust fan and an air outlet adjacent the other end of said member for discharging the heated air drawn therethrough, and an end closure for the opposite ends of said housing and each provided with an opening and a perforated member covering said opening to allow for the circulation of air but preventing dust and other foreign particles from entering the housing.

4. In a hair drier, an air heating and circulating assembly comprising an elongated cylindrical housing, a concentric member disposed within said housing, a cylindrical heating unit mounted in concentric, spaced relation within said memher, an air inlet at one end of said unit, an exhaust fan and motor therefor disposed at the other end of said member for circulating air under pressure, an air outlet adjacent the fan for exhausing the air from the housing, restricted passages in said member and housing for the entrance of air from the exterior thereinto and for the discharge of moisture therefrom, a hood for mounting upon the head of the person whose hair is to be dried, and flexible tubing connecting the hood to the inlet and outlet of the housing and member to provide a closed circuit for circulating and recirculating the air to the hood and for the discharge of moisture to the exterior of the assembly.

5. A portable hair drying assembly, comprising a movable and adjustable support, a hood for covering the hair of the person whose hair is to be dried, an enclosed air circulating and heating unit adjustably mounted on and suspended from said support and including an elongated; member completely enclosed except for an inletfor the air from the hood adjacent one end and an outlet for the heated air directed to the hood adjacent the other end and restricted openings for. the entrance of air from the exterior into the unit and for the exhaust of moisture laden air from the interior of the unit, a heating element mounted in said member through and about which the air is drawn for heating prior to its discharge through the outlet and to the hood, an exhaust fan mounted at one end of said member adjacent the outlet for drawing the. air under pressure from thehood, through the member,

and heating element and back to the hood in a closed circuit, and flexible tubes connecting the hood to the inlet and to the outlet and permitting movement of the hood relative to the air circulating and heating unit.

6. A portable hair drier, comprising an adjustable support, a bracket arm pivotally mounted at one end upon the support and adjustable about a horizontal axis, spring detent means for looking the arm in various positions of adjustment, an air heating and circulating unit adjustably mountedon and depending from the free end of the bracket arm, a hood for covering the hair on the head of the wearer, and air conducting flexible tubes connected to the unit adjacent its opposite ends and to the hood for supporting and supplying the latter with heated air under pressure and returning the air supplied to the hood back to the heating and circulating unit for reheating and recirculation.

7. A portable hair drier, comprising a base and an adjustable pedestal, abracket arm pivots!!! mounted on the upper end of the pedestal and adjustableabout ahorizontal axis, spring detent means for locking the arm in various positions of adjustment, an air heating and circulating unit adjustably mounted on and depending from the free end of the bracket arm, a hood for covering the hair on the head of the wearer, air conducting flexible tubes connected to the unit adjacent its opposite ends and to the hood for supporting and supplying the latter with heated air under pressure and returning the air supplied to the hood back to the heating and ohculating unit for reheating and recirculation, and restricted vents provided in the hood and unit for discharging moisture laden air therefrom and for supplying the unit with additional air supplanting that escaping with the moisture.

' ELBERT R. POTTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:'

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,504,149 Ruffio Aug. 5, 1924 1,773,083 Troccoli Aug. 12, 1930 2,012,473 McElroy et a1 Aug. 27, 1935 2,027,694 List et a1 Jan. 14, 1936 2,074,270 Perkins Mar. 16, 1937 2,289,633 De Vincenzis et a1. July 14, 1942' 2,444,481 Watkins July 6, 1948 2,466,915 Shields Apr. 12, 1949 

